Justin Trudeau faces off with Leonardo DiCaprio over climate change

Leonardo DiCaprio Slams 'Corporate Greed'1:11

Acclaimed actor Leonardo DiCaprio received a 'Crystal Award' at the 46th World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday for his role in helping tackle the climate crisis. The showman didn't mince words when criticizing those he thought responsible for global warming.

“I pointed out that both Alberta and Canada have new governments over the past year that are committed to action on climate change … and that there are families suffering, out of work, who need to be supported, and inflammatory rhetoric doesn’t necessarily help those families or help Canada,” Trudeau said, recounting his remarks to reporters on Friday.

“He actually said if we took concrete action on climate change he would be the first to come up and celebrate with us.”

Leonardo DiCaprio on climate change

Fresh off his Golden Globe win, DiCaprio drew oohs, ahhs and smiles as he was honoured for his work against the climate crisis at the WEF. Then he ripped into Big Oil.

The Revenant star announced that his foundation was donating another $US15 million to environmental projects, and pleaded with business leaders and other notables on hand to protect the environment.

“We simply cannot allow the corporate greed of the coal, oil and gas industries to determine the future of humanity,” he said to polite applause.

“Those entities with a financial interest in preserving this destructive system have denied and even covered up the evidence of our changing climate. Enough is enough. You know better. The world knows better. History will place the blame for this devastation squarely at their feet.”

Top honours ... US actor Leonardo DiCaprio receives a Crystal Award from German Hilde Schwab, chair and co-founder of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. Picture: Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via APSource:AP

In their speeches, both DiCaprio and Will.i.am mentioned Bill Gates — a Davos staple, who is set to take part in a session this Friday.

DiCaprio hailed the Microsoft co-founder for his support of a “zero-emissions” future; the hip-hop star imagined the impact on a downtrodden community if a Gates-like entrepreneur were to emerge from one.

Chen, who was said to have 78 million followers on Sina Weibo, China’s answer to Twitter, was recognised for her work on behalf of the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.